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Monday, August 15, 2011

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh delivers a speech on the ramparts of The Red Fort in New Delhi on India's 65th Independence Day. Prime Minister calls for understanding and restraint, otherwise our security and integrity can get adversely affected. Cautions against "some people who want to create disturbances in the country so that our progress gets stalled and we will not let this happen". Prime Minister said that this is the time to rise above our personal or political interests and build consensus on issues of national importance. He claims that we have provided political stability and socio and economic progress and we have established an environment of communal harmony in the country and the last seven years have seen rapid economic development.

He also said that we have taken special care of the needs of our brothers and sisters from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Minorities, Women and Children. He promised that promises food security legislation will be coming soon. Then he acknowledges that corruption is a big obstacle in national transformation and he added corruption should be discussed in a manner that should not create an atmosphere in which country's progress comes into question. He urges that discussion on corruption should not distract from self-confidence and the government is taking strictest possible action in cases of corruption. He also said that there is no single big step which we can take to eradicate corruption and corruption cannot be eradicated unless we improve our justice delivery system.

Prime Minister asserts that we want strong Lokpal to prevent corruption in high places and he said that resort to hunger strikes and fast-unto-death will not help. He also said nothing should be done to dilute independence of the judiciary. Mr. Manmohan Singh acknowledges that misuse of governmental discretion in allocation of scarce resources.

Prime Minister says the Government working on measures to reduce corruption in government projects and government will lay down principles and practices with regard to government purchases. He said that no government has a "magic wand" to eradicate corruption. We have to fight against corruption on many fronts.
Prime Minister compliments farmers on producing a record level food grains and he is in the view that we need a second Green Revolution in Agriculture. He acknowledges that a phase of sustained high inflation. He added in his speech that our government fully understands its responsibility to control rise in prices and International markets fuel inflation in India. He also said that finding a solution to inflation will be our top most priority in the coming months.

He said in his speech that the land acquisition must be transparent and fair. Government will establish a new Education Commission to suggest improvements in education at all levels. He suggested that 12th Five Year Plan to focus on health. He also said that investment in infrastructure has grown more than 1 1/2 times in the last seven years.

He said that we want to make India slum-free and the ownership of clean houses to slum dwellers.
Malnutrition in women and children is a matter of concern for all of us he added. He regrets about the declining of sex ratio and wants a change in approach towards girls and women.

Regarding against terrorism he said we should not lower guard against terrorism and says it is a long battle to be fought jointly by the central government, state governments and the citizens. He promises to eradicate the very reasons which gave rise to Naxalism.

He acknowledges our younger generation's higher aspirations and says our institutions should tap our people's potential. He also said that our entrepreneurs and business men should not feel constrained in their activities.
· Prime Minister urges "we should all stay away from tactics that creates suspicion or apprehension among those connected with industry, business and investment.
· Prime Minister says our development should not increase inequalities.
· Prime Minister says we have the collective capacities and the confidence to deal with tensions and conflicts in the society.